How to Upcycle Pill Bottles

Have you ever finished a prescription and been left with a handful of plastic bottles? Rather than throwing them away, there are many ways to upcycle old prescription bottles and give them new life.

This blog post will explore some of the best ways how to upcycle pill bottles into fun and valuable items. Read on to learn more!

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What Is Upcycling?

We all know the importance of recycling and reusing materials whenever possible. But what about upcycling? Upcycling is taking a material or object and repurposing it into something more valuable than the original item. 

Upcycling can be applied to all materials, including paper, plastic, metal, glass, and even food.

With a bit of imagination, anything can be given new life! Not only does upcycling help to reduce waste, but it can also be a great way to save money and let's face it, DIY projects are a fun way to get creative.

How To Upcycle Pill Bottles?

Because of their size there are so many great uses for an empty prescription pill bottle.

Those often translucent orange containers can be turned into so many things with a little spray paint, craft glue, or permanent markers. Just make sure to peel off and dispose of the medicine labels that have any personal information on it before you get started.

Make A Pill Bottle Vase! 

First, remove the label from the pill bottle and wash it well. Then, use a sharp knife to carefully cut the top of the bottle, just below the lid.

Next, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. Once you've done that, it's time to decorate your vase! 

You can paint it, decoupage it, or even wrap it in yarn or fabric. Finally, add a small amount of water to the bottom of the vase and insert a few fresh flowers. Et voila!

You've upcycled an old pill bottle into a pretty and unique vase. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can make paper flowers to add to your new vase. You can also add some magnetic tape on the back of the pill bottle vase.

Then you have a vase for your refrigerator! Cut some fresh flowers from your garden or add your paper ones to spruce up your kitchen! These magnetic mini vases can also make fun gifts and stocking stuffers around the holidays!

I used mine to hold the remaining stragglers from an older bouquet. Perfect way to enjoy my florals a bit longer!

Use Pill Bottles To Organize Small Items 

It's happened to all of us. We're rummaging through our purse, looking for our lip balm or keys, when we come across a jumble of small items that seem to have multiplied on their own. 

But before you resign yourself to a life of constantly searching for lost earrings, there is hope. With a little creativity, those empty pill bottles can be repurposed into handy organizers for all your small items.

To get started, remove the labels from the pill bottles and give them a good wash. Then, use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut a small opening in the top of the bottle. The opening size will depend on what you plan to store in the bottle, but it should be big enough to fit whatever item you're trying to organize. 

Once you've cut the opening, start filling the bottle with whatever items you need to keep track of. For example, you could use one bottle to store hair ties and bobby pins, while another could be used for coins or hair clips, or paper clips.

You could also use prescription pill bottles to create a DIY travel-sized toiletries kit. Fill it with miniature versions of your favorite products and tuck it away in your carry-on bag.

I used mine to store the pens I use daily in my office. Takes up way less space than a regular size pencil bin!

Make A Tiny Terrarium Out Of A Pill Bottle! 

Whether you're trying to start a new plant from seed or looking for a fun and easy way to add some greenery to your home, a terrarium is a great option! And what could be easier than making one out of a pill bottle? 

• First, gather your materials. You'll need a clean pill bottle, some potting soil, rocks or gravel, and a small plant. Once you have everything, start by adding a layer of rocks or gravel to the bottom of the bottle. This will help with drainage.

• Next, add a layer of potting soil. Be sure to pack it down firmly.

• Finally, carefully remove your plant from its pot and place it in the bottle. Add more soil if necessary, then replace the lid.

That's it! Your terrarium is now ready to enjoy. Just be sure to place it where it will get indirect sunlight. And don't forget to check on it occasionally – you may need to add water if the soil starts to look dry.

Junk Drawer Organizer

If you're someone who has a drawer in the kitchen for all the extra odds-and-ends but doesn't want that drawer to be a big mess, it's a good thing you also have an empty pill container or two!

You can store your rubber bands, spare batteries, and anything you have multiples of in a small size in individual pill bottles to make it easier to sort through your junk drawer.

I used an empty bottle to store random desk drawer junk that I didn’t have a designated spot for but knew I’d need in the future.

Make A Spare Key Concealer

Losing your house keys is always a pain, but it's incredibly frustrating when you can't find a spare key to get back in. If you've ever found yourself in this predicament, you know it's essential to have a backup plan. 

One way to create a spare key concealer is to repurpose an empty pill bottle. Start by removing the label from the pill bottle and cleaning it thoroughly. Once that's done, drop your spare key and screw the lid into the bottle.

Then, hide the key near your front door, underneath a garden rock or other object. This way, if you ever lose your keys again, you'll know right where to look.

Seed Saving Container

Before tossing your next empty pill bottle in the recycle bin, consider upcycling it into a seed-saving container. With a few simple supplies, you can turn an ordinary pill bottle into a handy tool for storing and transporting seeds. 

You really just need a permanent marker to label the container with the seed name, after you remove the label and give the insides a quick clean!

This method is not only economical, but it's also eco-friendly. So next time you're looking for a seed-saving solution, reach for those old pill bottles.

Coin Holder

Have you ever reached for a coin at the bottom of your purse, only to find that it has mysteriously shifted to the very back? Or maybe you've been fishing around for quarters to do laundry, only to come up short.

Well, have no fear! Upcycling those empty prescription bottles can solve both of these problems. So go ahead and give those old medicine bottles a second life - your wallet will thank you!

I am so glad I learned this hack - I just don’t own coin purses any more, but have noticed more loose change hanging in my purse lately. This is the perfect portable solution!

Portable Sewing Kit

Have you ever been out and about only to realize you've forgotten your sewing kit at home? Or worse, have you ever had a sewing emergency and had to search for a needle and thread in a pinch? 

If you're looking for a simple and affordable way to be prepared for anything, look no further than your medicine cabinet. An empty pill bottle can easily be transformed into a small sewing kit, perfect for taking on the go.

Add a few basic supplies like needles, thread, buttons, safety pins, and scissors, and you'll be ready for any repair job. Whether you're mending a torn hem or fixing a popped button, you'll be glad you have your portable sewing kit at the ready.

Mini First Aid Kit

Pill bottles are the perfect size for a mini first aid kit. You can keep bandaids, cotton balls, cotton swabs, and even travel-sized alcohol swabs together and throw the whole kit in your purse, carry on, or suitcase.

It's a creative way to make sure you have what you need on-the-go!

Reuse for Travel

Pill bottles are great for using when traveling! You can use to store your vitamins, cotton swabs, or any other small items that might be hard to store in your toiletry bag.

Simply reuse as medicine containers if you don't want to take the entire bottle of pills on a short vacation! This is an easy way to reuse the bottle without any crafting skills required!

We hope you enjoyed these ideas for upcycling pill bottles. Next time you finish prescription medications, don't throw away those empty bottles - put them to good use with one of these fun projects!

Why To Upcycle The Plastic Pill Bottles?

It's estimated that 55% of people living in the United States regularly take prescription medication each day. That means many plastic pill bottles end up in landfills yearly.

But instead of tossing those pill bottles in the trash, you can upcycle them into something useful. 

For instance, you can use a clean, empty pill bottle to store small items like buttons or beads. Or you can turn it into a miniature planter for a succulent or cactus.

With creativity, those pill bottles can be transformed into all sorts of things. So next time you finish a prescription, don't just throw away the bottle. Upcycle it instead!

Pill bottles are made from PET plastic, a type of plastic that is not biodegradable. They can be sent to a recycling center, but not everyone has access to recycling.

This means that when those plastic containers go into a landfill, they will take hundreds of years to break down. However, by upcycling pill bottles, we can give them a new lease of life and prevent them from going to landfills. 

There are many great ideas for ways to upcycle pill bottles, such as turning them into plant pots or a holder for your makeup brushes. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also helps save money as you won't need to buy new containers.

Upcycling is a great way to be sustainable and help the environment, so next time if someone asks you how to upcycle pill bottles, you will have plenty of clever ideas to share.

Meet the Author

Paige is an independent strategic digital communications consultant and Richardson-centric blogger. She especially loves supporting and promoting small businesses with sustainable and ethical practices. Learn more about local businesses by following The Richardson Paige on Instagram.

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